March 3

Morning

See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. — Isa 48:10 BSB

Comfort yourself, weary believer, with this thought: God says, “I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” So let affliction come—God has chosen me. Poverty may walk through my door, but God is already in the house, and He has chosen me. Sickness may come uninvited, but I have a healing balm—God has chosen me. Whatever happens in this valley of tears, I know this truth: He has “chosen” me.

And if you need even more comfort, remember that Jesus is with you in the furnace. In that quiet room of yours, there is One beside you whom you cannot see but whom you love; and often, without your knowing, He makes your bed in your sickness and smooths your pillow. You may be poor, but the Lord of life and glory visits you often. He loves to come into those desolate places to be with you. Your closest Friend is never far away. You may not see Him, but you can feel the touch of His hand. Can you not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death, He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God.”

Do not be afraid, Christian—Jesus is with you! In every trial, His presence is your comfort and your safety. He will never leave one of His own. “Fear not, for I am with you” is His unshakable promise to those He has chosen in the “furnace of affliction.” So, hold tightly to Christ, and declare with confidence, “Through floods and flames, if Jesus leads, I’ll follow wherever He goes.”

Evening

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. — Matt 3:16 BSB

Just as the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, the Head, so He also descends upon the members of His mystical body. His coming to us mirrors His descent on Christ.

There is often a surprising speed in His work—before we even realize it, we are carried forward and upward beyond our expectations. But there is no rush in His movements, for the wings of the dove are as gentle as they are swift. Many spiritual operations require stillness and quiet. The Lord speaks in the still small voice, and His grace often comes to us as silently as the dew falls at night.

The dove has always been a symbol of purity, and the Holy Spirit is the essence of holiness. Where He comes, all that is pure, lovely, and good abounds, and sin and impurity flee.

Peace reigns where the Holy Dove is present. He brings the olive branch, a sign that God’s wrath has been calmed.

Gentleness is a natural outcome of the Spirit’s transforming power. Hearts touched by His gentle influence are forever humble and meek.

Harmlessness follows too. While eagles and ravens hunt for prey, the dove endures wrong but inflicts none. We must be as harmless as doves.

The dove is also a symbol of love. Its voice is full of affection, and in the same way, the soul visited by the Spirit overflows with love—for the brethren, for the lost, and above all, for Jesus.

When the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, He brought order and life. In our hearts, He does the same, creating and nurturing new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as You rested upon our dear Redeemer, may You rest upon me, from this moment forward and forever.